Toutle Lake standout Zach Swanson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Draft Monday as the 266th overall pick in the ninth round.
After waiting an agonizing hour and turning down two early, lower offers, the phone finally rang for the right-handed pitcher ranked as the 178th overall prospect.
“It’s all worth it to hear your name called on TV,” Swanson said. “That’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
Swanson helped lead Toutle Lake to three district championships in four years. He was committed to Oregon State University next year, but said he will now likely sign his contract with the Tigers and take the professional route.
At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Swanson will be making third-round money despite being selected in the ninth round — a feat that is rarely heard of and hundreds of thousands more than the MLB's value for the 266th's pick at $195,100. His family declined to publicly share the specific offer.
Swanson had scouting grades of 50 for his fastball and slider, 45 for control, 40 for his changeup and 40 overall.
He was also the No. 1 ranked prospect in the state of Washington by multiple sites including Baseball Northwest, Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report.
“You’ve got a physical, strong kid that has a ton of arm strength and can spin a breaking ball,” Tigers amateur scouting director Mark Conner told MLB.com. “Competitive, athletic. Northwest high-school pitcher, you expect their development to be a little bit further behind than some others in the country, especially being a multi-sport athlete. There’s a lot of upside to him.”
About a month ago, Swanson took a trip to Detroit to pitch in front of the Tigers’ front office. It was the only team he had time to show his talents to, and immediately made an impression.
“They’re excited to get me," he said. "They paid good money for me. I feel they got the steal of the draft.”
His father had one word to encapsulate the moment:
“Relieved,” Eric Swanson said. “Everybody says 'enjoy it while you can.' It’s a hell of a lot easier to say than to do. I’m glad the process is over. It definitely kind of puts everything in perspective."
While the draft process is over, the journey to become a pro baseball player has only just begun. Eric Swanson said practice will begin immediately.
“They basically bring you down, sign your contract and ship him off fairly quickly to their spring training facility,” he said.
Of course, that means Zach Swanson will leave home, and not see friends and family every day — a change the draft pick is preparing for.
His parents helped the new Tiger reach his goals, he said, and also taught him lessons outside the field, including to remain humble.
His coaches — Darrin Keaton, Tug Cox, Ty Kimball, Gregg Swenson, Kevin Gunderson, Jerry Johnson, Chris Byrd and Jacob Green — also helped him on his path to Detroit, Eric Swanson added.
Once he signs his contract, he will have the opportunity to work his way up through the minor league ranks, from the rookie league to triple-A.
Swanson said he is ready.
“This is a job now and I wanna be one of the best at my job," the pitcher said. "So it’s time to grow up a little faster than most 18-year olds."
A number of other players with local ties heard their names called in the draft. A 2023 Black Bears alum, Jaron DeBerry, was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round with selection No. 93.
Also, 2022 Black Bears alums Aaron Parker (sixth round, pick 187) and Cade McGee (ninth round, pick 261) were taken by the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.
Former Red Devil, Sam Stuhr, was taken by the Oakland Athletics with the 137th pick in the fifth round.
